Couple devastated after ten-week-old puppy is WRONGLY put down by vet after lethal medicine mix-up

WJ Downes vets wanted to care for Wayne and Lisa Maguire's ten-week-old Border Collie, Molly, who was suffering from diarrhoea

By Aletha Adu

8th November 2017, 10:28 am

Updated: 9th November 2017, 12:28 pm

A DEVASTATED couple are struggling to come to terms with their beloved puppy's death - after a vet mistakenly gave the pooch a lethal injection.

Border Collie, Molly, was being cared for by vets at WJ Downes vet in Aberystwyth, after she reacted badly to a routine puppy vaccination.

SWNS:South West News Service

Ten-week-old Molly died after vets mistakenly gave her a lethal injection

Vets were keen to monitor the puppy as she suffered a high temperature and diarrhoea.

But instead of receiving a drip containing heparinized saline, Molly received an inadvertent injection with a solution of Potassium chloride.

Mr Maguire said: "She was a healthy pup. We are frustrated, annoyed and upset about it. We wouldn't want anyone to go through what we went through.

"My wife called the vets on the day of the incident and she was told they wanted to keep her in to care for her.

SWNS:South West News Service

She was suffering from diarrhoea and a high fever after a routine vaccination

Google Maps

But a vet from WJ Downes, pictured, accidentally used a solution of Potassium chloride

"The vet called back a few hours later and said Molly had died."

Sharon King, the vet who administered the injection sent a personal letter to the couple on 30 September, extending her "heartfelt apologies".

She added: "I realise my apology cannot ease your grief, but I would like you to know that I am truly devastated by the whole event, and that the consequences of my well-intentioned actions on 4 August resulted in Molly's death."

The couple claim they were asked to pay for the care Molly received before the fatal error.

SWNS:South West News Service

The Maguire's said it was a shock to their system, to lose Molly in a horrific mishap

Despite the couple requesting £530 in compensation, VDS offered Mr and Mrs Maguire just £300 "in a pragmatic attempt to draw this sad incident to a close".

"Although we have no proposal to increase it without the requested documentation, our offer remains open."

After rejecting VDS' offer, the couple were sent another letter on October 26, which read: "Your allegation that our members have shown you 'utter contempt' in their handling of this tragic incident is both refuted and resented.

"Although we have no proposal to increase it without the requested documentation, our offer remains open."

A statement from WJ Downes read: "There is an ongoing investigation into the issue and we are thus currently unable to comment."

MOST READ NEWS

BEACHED WAIL

Couple rescued from desert island after writing massive HELP sign in the sand